Naked collation package with tube form

ABSTRACT

A naked collation package comprising a plurality of individual units laid end-to-end or side-by-side to form a unit row comprising at least one interface between a neighbouring pair of individual units in the unit row, the unit row being overwrapped with a sheet of polymeric film having a length and a width, the length of the sheet being sufficient to envelop the unit row with sufficient overlap between the ends of the sheet to provide an overlap region for providing a girth seal along at least part of the length of the unit row, the sheet being sealed to itself in that region to provide the girth seal, and the sheet being provided along its length, or part or parts of it, with a line of weakness positioned in substantial register with the interface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/352,478 filed on Jan. 12, 2009, which claims the benefit of priorityto Great Britain Patent Application No. GB 0823072.4, filed Dec. 18,2008, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a naked collationpackage.

2. Description of the Related Art

Naked collation refers to a packaging application in which a pluralityof individual units (generally of an article of commerce) are collatedand then wrapped directly (without any intermediate packaging such as acarton or tube) in a packaging film, which holds the collated unitstogether in the resulting naked collation package. Naked collationprovides a number of benefits, including reducing the quantity ofpackaging material (at least by avoiding the need for any intermediatepackaging) and, in the case of a transparent packaging film, allowingthe individual units to be visible.

The packaging technique of naked collation is particularly useful inconnection with the packaging of relatively rigid articles and/orarticles which are not especially susceptible to flexing, for example,cigarette cartons, boxed pharmaceutical products, playing cards,packaged perfumes and cosmetics, CD cases, DVD cases, and the like.Although they need not be, commonly such articles will themselves beunit wrapped with an overwrap film so that once removed from the nakedcollation package they are then ready for display on the shelves of aretailer or for use by a consumer, for example. The problem of avoidingsealing the exterior film of the naked collation package to the unitwrap film is addressed for example in our co-pending applicationPCT/GB2008/050662.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Several embodiments of the present invention are concerned with removingthe individual units from the naked collation package in a manner whichis easy to effect and which preferably allows individual units orgroups, bundles, or bunches of units to be removed from the nakedcollation package without compromising the integrity of the remainder ofthe package. In several embodiments, scored lines are applied to a filmat predetermined or desired positions to coincide with the edges (ordesired locations) of packs in the collation bundles. This feature, insome embodiments, gives localised weakening of the film and offers usersthe benefits of snapping the film at the scored lines to remove one ormore packs at a time, whilst the remainder of the bundle stays collated.As described below, the scored lines may be straight, curved, or wavy.

Commonly in naked collation, as in many other types of packaging, ashrink film is employed to ensure a tight wrap. Whether a tight wrap,desirable from both a practical and an aesthetic point of view, isachieved by means of a shrink film or by other means, end users orretailers often experience difficulties in removing individual units orgroups thereof from the naked collation package as a whole. This isbecause the film can be so tightly wrapped around the collated unitsthat the user is unable to gain any substantial purchase on the film inorder to tear and remove the exterior film. The user may resort to usinga sharp implement or brute force to assist with the opening process, butthis may then cause damage to the individual units, or may cause thewhole package to be compromised, thereby releasing and spilling all ofthe individual units, even though the intention of the user was toremove only one, or some, of the units from the package.

In a naked collation package individual units (such as unit-wrappedcigarette cartons by way of example) are generally stacked, laidend-to-end, and then wrapped in a sheet of naked collation film. Stackheights vary from a single unit stack to double or triple (or more) unitstacks. Pack lengths may be from two to about twenty, or more, but willoften be in the range of from about three to ten units in length. Packlengths of from about four to about seven are common in the field ofnakedly collated cigarette cartons, for example.

In a naked collation package the risk of damage to the wrapped articleby the use for example of sharp implements to pierce the overwrap filmis acute; and it would be desirable to provide a ready means of openingsuch packs manually. It would also be desirable to provide a means forseparating individual units, or groups of units, from the main body ofthe pack whilst leaving the remaining wrapped units in the packsubstantially intact.

According to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided anaked collation package comprising a plurality of individual units laidend-to-end or side-by-side (or other formation) to form a unit rowcomprising at least one interface between a neighbouring pair ofindividual units in the unit row. The unit row can be overwrapped with asheet of polymeric film having a length and a width. The length of thesheet can be sufficient to envelop the unit row with sufficient overlapbetween the ends of the sheet to provide an overlap region for providinga girth seal along at least part of the length of the unit row. Thesheet can be sealed to itself in that overlap region to provide thegirth seal. The width of the sheet can be longer than the unit row toprovide an envelope seal region in at least one end of the unit row sothat the wrapped and girth-sealed sheet is able to fold over and seal toitself at the at least one end of the unit row to provide an envelopeseal. The sheet can be folded and sealed to itself in that region toprovide the envelope seal. The sheet can have provided along its length,or part or parts of it, with a line of weakness positioned insubstantial register with the interface.

In one embodiment, a naked collation package is configured such thatflexing the package in the region of the interface causes an individualunit or group of units to be snapped off from the remainder of thepackage whilst leaving the remainder of the package substantiallyintact. In one embodiment, a naked collation package also includes aplurality of interfaces between neighbouring pairs of individual units.In one embodiment, a naked collation package also includes a pluralityof lines of weakness along the length of the sheet; each line ofweakness positioned in substantial register with a respective interface.In one embodiment, the line of weakness is a substantially straight lineof weakness. In another embodiment, the line of weakness is anoscillating line of weakness.

It would further be desirable to reduce the quantity of overwrap filmused in a naked collation packet. Thus, also provided in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention is a naked collation packagecomprising a plurality of individual units laid end-to-end orside-by-side to form a unit row comprising at least one interfacebetween a neighbouring pair of individual units in the unit row. Theunit row can be overwrapped with a sheet of polymeric film having alength and a width. The length of the sheet can be sufficient to envelopthe unit row with sufficient overlap between the ends of the sheet toprovide an overlap region for providing a girth seal along at least partof the length of the unit row. The sheet can be sealed to itself in thatoverlap region to provide the girth seal. The width of the sheet is notsubstantially longer than the unit row so that the wrapped andgirth-sealed sheet forms an open-ended sleeve around the unit row. Thesheet can have provided along its length, or part or parts of it, with aline of weakness positioned in substantial register with the interface.

The naked collation packages of the invention provide the advantage thatby flexing the package in the region of the interface, an individualunit or group of units can be snapped off from the remainder of thepackage whilst leaving the remainder of the package substantiallyintact.

The unit row comprises at least two individual units, but may compriseat least three or at least about four or five individual units, forexample. The unit row may be a single unit in height, or may be doubleor triple-stacked, for example.

When the unit row comprised more than two individual units, there willbe a corresponding plurality of interfaces between neighbouring pairs ofindividual units. In these circumstances there is preferably provided aplurality of lines of weakness along the length of the sheet; each lineof weakness positioned in substantial register with a respectiveinterface.

The, or each, line of weakness may be provided in the sheet by anysuitable means such as ablation, incision or perforation for example.

Typically, the sheet is a polymeric film having a machine direction anda transverse direction. Preferably in this case the length of the sheetis in the machine direction and the or each line of weakness is providedby feeding the sheet in web form to a suitable ablation, incision orperforation tool so that the or each line of weakness is provided in themachine direction.

Preferably, the film is a shrink film so that after or during sealing ofthe film to itself around the unit row, the film can be shrunk to form atight fit.

Preferably each individual unit is of substantially the same shape andsize as each other individual unit in the pack. It is also preferredthat each individual unit be of substantially regular shape, and thatthe or each interface between neighbouring units be a substantiallystraight line interface.

The line of weakness provided in substantial register with an interfacebetween neighbouring packs may be a substantially straight line ofweakness. However, we have found it to be especially preferable for theline of weakness to have an oscillating pattern. For example, the lineof weakness may be provided as a zigzag line or with a sinusoidalprofile, for example. This allows a greater margin of error inregistering the line of weakness with the interface. The line ofweakness is continuous or discontinuous and may comprise a series ofrepeat patterns.

Preferably, the line of weakness is an oscillating line of weakness.More preferably the line of weakness is an oscillating line of weaknesswith a repeat unit which itself is oscillating.

By oscillating is preferably meant that the line of weakness propagatessequentially above and below a longitudinal axis running along thelength of the line of weakness through the centre thereof.

Also provided in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is aprocess for the production of a naked collation package, the processcomprising the steps of:

a) providing a plurality of individual units laid end-to-end orside-by-side to form a unit row comprising at least one interfacebetween a neighbouring pair of individual units in the unit row;

b) providing a sheet of polymeric film having a length and a width; thelength of the sheet being sufficient to envelop the unit row withsufficient overlap between the ends of the sheet to provide an overlapregion for providing a girth seal along at least part of the length ofthe unit row; and the width of the sheet being longer than the unit rowto provide an envelope seal region in at least one end of the unit row;

c) providing along the length of the film a line of weakness;

d) registering the line of weakness with the interface;

e) wrapping the length of the film around the unit row and sealing thefilm to itself to provide a girth seal; and

f) folding and sealing the film to itself in the envelope seal region toprovide the envelope seal.

One embodiment of the invention also provides a process for theproduction of a naked collation package, the process comprising thesteps of:

a) providing a plurality of individual units laid end-to-end orside-by-side to form a unit row comprising at least one interfacebetween a neighbouring pair of individual units in the unit row;

b) providing a sheet of polymeric film having a length and a width; thelength of the sheet being sufficient to envelop the unit row withsufficient overlap between the ends of the sheet to provide an overlapregion for providing a girth seal along at least part of the length ofthe unit row; and the width of the sheet being not substantially longerthan the unit row;

c) providing along the length of the film a line of weakness;

d) registering the line of weakness with the interface; and

e) wrapping the length of the film around the unit row and sealing thefilm to itself to provide an open-ended girth-sealed sleeve around theunit row.

The steps identified in the processes above need not be performed in theorder listed. Moreover, one or more steps may be omitted.

The films used in accordance with the present invention can be of avariety of thicknesses according to the application requirements. Forexample they can be from about 10 to about 240 μm thick and preferablyfrom about 50 to about 90 μm thick. The line of weakness in the film ispreferably of a narrower gauge than the rest of the film—for example 1%,2%, 5%, 10%, 20% or 50% narrower than the bulk of the film, or the lineof weakness may extend all or substantially all the way through thefilm.

The films used in the present invention, prior to deposition of anycoating and/or skin or lamination layer may comprise any suitablepolymeric filmic substrate, such as films made from biopolymers such asany of those described herein [preferably polylactic, polygalacticand/or cellulosic films (e.g. microbial and/or regenerated cellulosefilm)]; thermoplastic films; polymeric films (for example filmscomprising: polyolefins [e.g. polypropylene and/or polyethylene]polyurethanes, polyvinylhalides [e.g. PVC], polyesters [e.g.polyethylene terephthalate-PET], polyamides [e.g. nylons] and/ornon-hydrocarbon polymers); and/or multilayer and/or composite sheetsformed by any suitable combinations and/or mixtures of thereof. Suitablefilmic substrates therefore include polyolefinic films, but alsopolyester films, polyurethane films, cellulosic and PLA films.

The films of the present invention may consist of only one layer, or maycomprise a plurality of layers. Layers when present can be combined bylamination and/or co-extrusion and/or coating and/or melt coatextrusion. Films may be otherwise treated (for example by coronadischarge treatment) to improve certain characteristics of the film;printability or coating adhesion for example.

The films of the invention may comprise one or more additive materialssuch as: dyes; pigments, colorants; voiding agents; metallised and/orpseudo metallised coatings (e.g. aluminium); lubricants, anti-oxidants,surface-active agents, stiffening aids, gloss-improvers, prodegradants,UV attenuating materials (e.g. UV light stabilisers); sealabilityadditives; tackifiers, anti-blocking agents, additives to improve inkadhesion and/or printability, cross-linking agents; anti-slip and/oranti-block additives and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, embodiments, and advantages of the presentinvention will now be described in connection with preferred embodimentsof the invention, in reference to the accompanying drawings. Theillustrated embodiments, however, are merely examples and are notintended to limit the invention. Embodiments of the present inventionare described further hereinafter, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 and 1A illustrate in perspective top and bottom views,respectively, a naked collation pack in accordance with a firstembodiment of the invention with a substantially straight line ofweakness and an envelope seal.

FIGS. 2 and 2A illustrate in perspective top and bottom views,respectively, a naked collation pack in accordance with a secondembodiment of the invention with an oscillating line of weakness and anenvelope seal with a sinusoidal line.

FIGS. 2B and 2C illustrate in perspective top and bottom views,respectively, a naked collation pack in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention with an oscillating line of weakness withand an envelope seal with a zigzag line.

FIGS. 3 and 3A illustrate in perspective top and bottom views,respectively, a naked collation pack in accordance with a thirdembodiment of the invention with a substantially straight line ofweakness.

FIGS. 4 and 4A illustrate in perspective top and bottom views,respectively, a naked collation pack in accordance with a fourthembodiment of the invention with an oscillating line of weakness with asinusoidal line.

FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate in perspective top and bottom views,respectively, a naked collation pack in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention with an oscillating line of weakness with azigzag line.

Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals and characters,unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements,components or portions of the illustrated embodiments. In certaininstances, similar names may be used to describe similar components withdifferent reference numerals which have certain common or similarfeatures. Moreover, while the subject invention will now be described indetail with reference to the figures, it is done so in connection withthe illustrative embodiments. It is intended that changes andmodifications can be made to the described embodiments without departingfrom the true scope and spirit of the subject invention as defined bythe appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In accordance with the present disclosure, various embodiments of nakedcollation packaging are provided. Some advantages of naked collationpackaging over use of cartons, boxes or other packaging materialsinclude more efficient use of materials, lighter materials, strongermaterials, cheaper materials, more environmentally-friendly materials,smaller overall package size, resistance to moisture, and in someembodiments that use at least partially transparent sections of filmmaterials, the underlying units are visible to the consumer.

In one embodiment of naked collation a shrink film is employed to ensurea tight wrap. Whether a tight wrap, desirable from both a practical andan aesthetic point of view, is achieved by means of a shrink film or byother means, end users or retailers often experience difficulties inremoving individual units or groups thereof from the naked collationpackage as a whole. This is because the film can be so tightly wrappedaround the collated units that the user is unable to gain anysubstantial purchase on the film in order to tear and remove theexterior film. In some instances, the film may be difficult to breakopen manually due to the thickness, geometry, or other characteristic ofthe film. In some instances, attempts to open packaging may result ininjury to the hands. The user may resort to using a sharp implement orbrute force to assist with the opening process, but this may then causedamage to the individual units, or may cause the whole package to becompromised, thereby releasing and spilling all of the individual units,even though the intention of the user was to remove only one, or some,of the units from the package.

In one embodiment of a naked collation package, individual units (suchas unit-wrapped cigarette cartons by way of example) are generallystacked, laid end-to-end, and then wrapped in a sheet of naked collationfilm. Stack heights may vary from a single unit stack to double ortriple (or more) unit stacks. For example, some pack lengths may be fromtwo to about twenty, or more, but will often be in the range of fromabout three to ten units in length. Pack lengths of from about four toabout seven are common in the field of nakedly collated cigarettecartons, for example.

In a naked collation package, the risk of damage to the wrapped articleby the use for example of sharp implements to pierce the overwrap filmis acute; and it would be desirable to provide a ready means of openingsuch packs manually. It would also be desirable to provide a means forseparating individual units, or groups of units, from the main body ofthe pack whilst leaving the remaining wrapped units in the packsubstantially intact. For example, bundles or groupings of articles orunits could be removed from the overall package and remain groupedtogether until individual units or smaller sets of units are removed. Itwould also be desirable to provide a means for opening the packagingwith ease, and minimizing potential injury to the person opening thepackaging.

Several embodiments of the present invention are concerned with removingthe individual units or consumer items from the naked collation packagein a manner which is easy to effect and which preferably allowsindividual units or groups, bundles, or bunches of units to be removedfrom the naked collation package without compromising the integrity ofthe remainder of the package.

According to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided anaked collation package 1 comprising a plurality of individual units 2laid end-to-end or side-by-side to form a unit row comprising at leastone interface 3 between a neighbouring pair of individual units 3 in theunit row. The unit row can be overwrapped with a collation film 4. Inone embodiment the collation film 4 is a sheet of polymeric film havinga length and a width. The length of the sheet can be sufficient toenvelop the unit row with sufficient overlap between the ends of thesheet to provide an overlap region for providing a girth seal 7 along atleast part of the length of the unit row. The sheet can be sealed toitself in that overlap region to provide the girth seal 7. The width ofthe sheet can be longer than the unit row to provide an envelope sealregion in at least one end of the unit row so that the wrapped andgirth-sealed sheet is able to fold over and seal to itself at the atleast one end of the unit row to provide an envelope seal 5. In variousembodiments, envelope seal 5 can include any number of folds in anynumber of orientations. The sheet can be folded and sealed to itself inthat region to provide the envelope seal 5. The sheet can have providedalong its length, or part or parts of it, with a line of weakness 6 inthe collation film 4 positioned in substantial register with theinterface 3.

In various embodiments, a line of weakness 6 can be a region with athinner, or reduced thickness in the film 4, a series of perforations,such as dots, dashes, or other patterns which provide a guide forbreaking the film 4 along a specific route or orientation along the film4. In various embodiments the, or each, line of weakness 6 may beprovided in the sheet by any suitable means such as ablation, incisionor perforation for example. The film 4 can have a reduced thickness at aline of weakness 6 by applying a chemical, solvent, or heat or othermeans in a pattern or orientation to create the line of weakness 6.

In one embodiment, when a unit row comprises more than two individualunits 2, there will be a corresponding plurality of interfaces 3 betweenneighbouring pairs of individual units 2. In these circumstances thereis preferably provided a plurality of lines of weakness 6 along thelength of the sheet; each line of weakness 6 positioned in substantialproximity or substantial register with a respective interface 3 betweenunits 2.

In one embodiment, the sheet is a polymeric film having a machinedirection and a transverse direction. In one embodiment the length ofthe sheet is in the machine direction and the, or each, line of weakness6 is provided by feeding the sheet in web form to a suitable ablation,incision or perforation tool so that the, or each, line of weakness 6 isprovided in the machine direction.

In one embodiment, the film is a shrink film so that after or duringsealing of the film to itself around the unit row, the film can beshrunk to form a tight fit.

In one embodiment, each individual unit 2 is of substantially the sameshape and size as each other individual unit(s) 2 in the pack. In oneembodiment each individual unit 2 can have a substantially regularshape, and that the, or each, interface 3 between neighbouring units 2can be a substantially straight line interface 3. In variousembodiments, the line of weakness 6 can be provided in substantialregister with an interface 3 between neighbouring packs, and may be asubstantially straight line of weakness 6.

In various embodiments, a naked collation package 1 comprising aplurality of individual units 2 may be laid end-to-end or side-by-sideto form a unit row comprising at least one interface 3 between aneighbouring pair of individual units 2 in the unit row; the unit rowbeing overwrapped with a collation film 4. In one embodiment, thecollation film 4 is a sheet of polymeric film having a length and awidth; the length of the sheet being sufficient to envelop the unit rowwith sufficient overlap between the ends of the sheet to provide anoverlap region for providing a girth seal 7 along at least part of thelength of the unit row, the sheet being sealed to itself in that regionto provide the girth seal 7; the width of the sheet being longer thanthe unit row to provide an envelope seal region in at least one end ofthe unit row so that the wrapped and girth-sealed sheet is able to foldover and seal to itself at the at least one end of the unit row toprovide an envelope seal 5, the sheet being folded and sealed to itselfin that region to provide the envelope seal 5.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 1A there is shown one embodiment of a nakedcollation package 1 comprising ten collated individual units 2, doublestacked in height and with five along the length of the unit row. Eachindividual unit 2 is placed side-by-side with its neighbour and with aninterface 3 therebetween. Collation film 4 is wrapped around the unitrow and sealed to itself by means of a girth seal 7 (not shown in FIG.1, being on the underside of the package 1 as depicted in FIG. 1, seeFIG. 1A). An envelope seal 5 is provided at each end of package 1,although only one such end is depicted in FIG. 1. Lines of weakness 6 inthe machine direction of the film 4 are provided in substantial registerwith each interface 3 and, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 comprise astraight-line perforation in the film. In use the package 1 may be heldas one end and two, four, six or eight individual units 2 may be snappedoff from the other end by flexing the package 1 in the region of theappropriate interface 3. In various embodiments of naked collationpackages 1, different numbers of units 2 may be configured in varyingnumbers of stacks, rows and/or columns, and may be temporarily heldtogether with a collation film 4.

In one embodiment, the line of weakness has an oscillating pattern. Forexample, the line of weakness may be provided as a zigzag line (seeFIGS. 2B, 2C, 4B, 4C) or with a sinusoidal profile (see FIGS. 2, 2A, 4,4A), for example. This allows a greater margin of error in registeringthe line of weakness with the interface. One advantage of an oscillatingline of weakness is the reduction in the need for precision in aligningthe interface of the units with the line of weakness. For example, inone embodiment if a substantially straight line of weakness 6 ismisaligned with an interface 3 (e.g., by about 0.5 to about 1.0 mm), itmay make it difficult to break the film 4, such as in one example,through flexion of the units 2 with respect to each other. In variousembodiments, the line of weakness can be continuous or discontinuous andmay comprise a series of repeat patterns. In one embodiment the line ofweakness is an oscillating line of weakness 26. In one embodiment theline of weakness is an oscillating line of weakness with a repeat unitwhich itself is oscillating. By “oscillating” is preferably meant thatthe line of weakness propagates sequentially above and below alongitudinal axis running along the length of the line of weaknessthrough the centre thereof. An oscillation pattern according to severalembodiments herein may range in width (e.g., amplitude from a centerline) from about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm, preferably about 0.5 mm to about2 mm. In other embodiments, the width of the oscillation patterns may besmaller or greater to accommodate desired separation between units 2. Inyet other embodiments, the width of the oscillation patterns may besmaller or greater to accommodate desired tolerance levels between theinterface 3 and line of weakness 6. The widths may differ along alongitudinal axis.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 2A there is shown a naked collation package 21with similar features to those described in relation to FIGS. 1 and 1A,except that the lines of weakness 26 comprise a sinusoidal-lineperforation in the film. FIG. 2A shows one embodiment of a girth seal27. Referring to FIGS. 2B and 2C there is shown a naked collationpackage 21 with similar features to those described in relation to FIGS.1 and 1A, except that the lines of weakness 26 comprise a zigzag line inthe film.

In one embodiment, the line of weakness can include any pattern withdiscrete, continuous, or discontinuous patterns to make certain portionsof the line of weakness easier or harder to break than other portions ofthe line of weakness. For example, in one embodiment corners or edges ofa unit may be made easier or harder to break based on the relativestrength of the line of weakness. In one embodiment, a perforated lineof weakness may be made more difficult to break in a region byincreasing the distance between portions of the film that are relativelythinner or increasing the distance between though holes. In oneembodiment, a line of weakness may include thinning and through-patternperforation. In one embodiment, the line of weakness may be configuredwith lettering, text, numbers, symbols or patterns.

In one embodiment, the quantity of overwrap film used in a nakedcollation packet can be reduced to save material. Thus, also provided inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention is a nakedcollation package 31 comprising a plurality of individual units 32 laidend-to-end or side-by-side to form a unit row comprising at least oneinterface 33 between a neighbouring pair of individual units in the unitrow. The unit row can be overwrapped with a collation film 34. In oneembodiment, the collation film 34 is a sheet of polymeric film having alength and a width. The length of the sheet can be sufficient to envelopthe unit row with sufficient overlap between the ends of the sheet toprovide an overlap region for providing a girth seal 37 along at leastpart of the length of the unit row. The sheet can be sealed to itself inthat overlap region to provide the girth seal 37. The width of the sheetis not substantially longer than the unit row so that the wrapped andgirth-sealed sheet forms an open-ended sleeve around the unit row. Thesheet can have provided along its length, or part or parts of it, with aline of weakness 36 positioned in substantial register with theinterface.

In one embodiment, the naked collation packages 31 provide the advantagethat by flexing the package in the region of the interface 33, anindividual unit 32 or group of units 32 can be snapped off from theremainder of the package whilst leaving the remainder of the packagesubstantially intact. In various embodiments, the unit row comprises atleast two individual units 32, but may comprise at least three or atleast about four or five individual units 32, for example. The unit rowmay be a single unit in height, or may be double or triple-stacked, forexample.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 3A there is shown a naked collation package 31comprising ten collated individual units 32, double stacked in heightand with five along the length of the unit row. Each individual unit 32is placed side-by-side with its neighbour and with an interface 33therebetween. Collation film 34 is wrapped around the unit row andsealed to itself by means of a girth seal 37 (not shown in FIG. 3, beingon the underside of the package 31 as depicted in FIG. 3, see FIG. 3A).The width of the film 34 is not substantially greater than the length ofthe unit row so that the film 34 forms an open-ended sleeve around theunit row. Lines of weakness 36 in the machine direction of the film 34are provided in substantial register with each interface 33 and, in theembodiment shown in FIG. 3 comprise a straight-line perforation in thefilm. In use the package 31 may be held as one end and two, four, six oreight individual units 32 may be snapped off from the other end byflexing the package 31 in the region of the appropriate interface 33.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 4A there is shown a naked collation package 41with similar features to those described in relation to FIGS. 3 and 3A,except that the lines of weakness comprise an oscillating line ofweakness 46. FIG. 3A shows one embodiment of a girth seal 37. FIG. 4Ashows one embodiment of a girth seal 47. In one embodiment, theoscillating line of weakness 46 is a sinusoidal-line perforation in thefilm. In one embodiment, the oscillating line of weakness 46 is a zigzagline in the film. In one embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A the lineof weakness 46 is a sinusoidal line. In one embodiment as shown in FIGS.4B and 4C the line of weakness 46 is a zigzag line.

In one embodiment, any of the lines of weakness disclosed can be pairedin two or more parallel lines of weakness separated by a distance suchthat pulling on the film between the parallel lines of weakness resultsin a strip of film that may be used to open the package at thatinterface. In various embodiments, the strip can be about 0.5 cm, 1 cm,2 cm or any width to facilitate the breaking of the package manually.Select strips can be pulled off or removed in order to remove one unit,or groups of two or more units. The user may tear a strip out in orderto remove blocks or groups of units with each block or group of unitsretaining at least some of the collated packaging material around themto hold the grouped units together. One advantage of the strip lines ofweakness is a reduction in the need for tolerances in attempting toalign unit interfaces with the lines of weakness. Another advantage ofthe strip lines of weakness is that it provides an easy way toselectively separate the film 4 manually without needing to grasp orflex the units packaged therein.

In any of the embodiments, the films used in accordance with the presentinvention can be of a variety of thicknesses according to theapplication requirements. For example they can be from about 10 to about240 μm thick and preferably from about 50 to about 90 μm thick. The lineof weakness in the film is preferably of a narrower gauge than the restof the film—for example 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 20% or 50% narrower than thebulk of the film, or the line of weakness may extend all orsubstantially all the way through the film.

In some embodiments, the films used in the present invention, prior todeposition of any coating and/or skin or lamination layer may compriseany suitable polymeric filmic substrate, such as films made frombiopolymers such as any of those described herein such as (but notlimited to) polylactic, polygalactic and/or cellulosic films (e.g.microbial and/or regenerated cellulose film); thermoplastic films;polymeric films (for example films comprising: polyolefins [e.g.polypropylene and/or polyethylene] polyurethanes, polyvinylhalides [e.g.PVC], polyesters [e.g. polyethylene terephthalate-PET], polyamides [e.g.nylons] and/or non-hydrocarbon polymers); and/or multilayer and/orcomposite sheets formed by any suitable combinations and/or mixtures ofthereof. In some embodiments, filmic substrates can include polyolefinicfilms, polyester films, polyurethane films, cellulosic and/or PLA films.Other materials for the film may also be used in accordance with severalembodiments of the invention, including but not limited to papercoverings, laminated materials, composites, biodegradable materials,etc.

In various embodiments, the films of the present invention may consistof only one layer, or may comprise a plurality of layers. Layers whenpresent can be combined by lamination and/or co-extrusion and/or coatingand/or melt coat extrusion. Films may be otherwise treated (for exampleby corona discharge treatment) to improve certain characteristics of thefilm; printability or coating adhesion for example.

In various embodiments, the films of the invention may comprise one ormore additive materials such as: dyes; pigments, colorants; voidingagents; metallised and/or pseudo metallised coatings (e.g. aluminium);lubricants, anti-oxidants, surface-active agents, stiffening aids,gloss-improvers, prodegradants, UV attenuating materials (e.g. UV lightstabilisers); sealability additives; tackifiers, anti-blocking agents,additives to improve ink adhesion and/or printability, cross-linkingagents; anti-slip and/or anti-block additives and the like.

Embodiments of the invention have are described above. While thestructure has been described in terms of certain specific embodiments,there is no intention to limit the invention to the same. It will beunderstood that the foregoing is only illustrative of the principles ofthe invention, and that various modifications, alterations, andcombinations can be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is notintended that the invention be limited, except as by the appendedclaims.

1. A naked collation package comprising: a plurality of individual unitslaid end-to-end or side-by-side to form a unit row comprising at leastone interface between a neighbouring pair of individual units in theunit row; the unit row being overwrapped with a sheet of polymeric filmhaving a length and a width, the length of the sheet being sufficient toenvelop the unit row with sufficient overlap between the ends of thesheet to provide an overlap region for providing a girth seal along atleast part of the length of the unit row, the sheet being sealed toitself in that overlap region to provide the girth seal, the width ofthe sheet being not substantially longer than the unit row so that thewrapped and girth-sealed sheet forms an open-ended sleeve around theunit row, the sheet being provided along its length, or part or parts ofit, with at least one line of weakness positioned in substantialregister with a respective interface.
 2. The naked collation packageaccording to claim 1 wherein flexing the package in the region of theinterface causes an individual unit or group of units to be snapped offfrom the remainder of the package whilst leaving the remainder of thepackage substantially intact.
 3. The naked collation package accordingto claim 1, wherein the at least one interface comprises a plurality ofinterfaces between neighbouring pairs of individual units and the atleast one line of weakness comprises a plurality of lines of weaknessalong the length of the sheet; respective lines of weakness positionedin substantial register with respective interfaces.
 4. The nakedcollation package according to claim 1 wherein the at least one line ofweakness comprises a substantially straight line of weakness.
 5. Thenaked collation package according to claim 1 wherein the at least oneline of weakness comprises an oscillating line of weakness.
 6. A processfor production of a naked collation package, the process comprising thesteps of: providing a plurality of individual units laid end-to-end orside-by-side to form a unit row comprising an interface between aneighbouring pair of individual units in the unit row; providing a sheetof polymeric film having a length and a width, the length of the sheetbeing sufficient to envelop the unit row with sufficient overlap betweenthe ends of the sheet to provide an overlap region for providing a girthseal along at least part of the length of the unit row, the width of thesheet being not substantially longer than the unit row; providing alongthe length of the film a line of weakness; registering the line ofweakness with the interface; and wrapping the length of the film aroundthe unit row and sealing the film to itself in the overlap region toprovide a girth seal, so that the wrapped and girth-sealed sheet formsan open-ended sleeve around the unit row.
 7. The process as claimed inclaim 6, wherein the process results in a package wherein, when thepackage is flexed in the region of the interface, an individual unit orgroup of units is snapped off from the remainder of the package whilstleaving the remainder of the package substantially intact.
 8. Theprocess as claimed in claim 6, wherein the interface comprises aplurality of interfaces between neighbouring pairs of individual units,the line of weakness comprises a plurality of lines of weakness; andeach line of weakness is positioned in substantial register with arespective interface.
 9. The process as claimed in claim 6, wherein theline of weakness comprises a substantially straight line of weakness.10. The process as claimed in claim 6, wherein the line of weaknesscomprises an oscillating line of weakness.